Belinda Wise
PFD Report
Partially Responded
Ref: 2016-0049
2 of 3 responded · Over 2 years old
Response Status
Responses
2 of 3
56-Day Deadline
11 Apr 2016
Over 2 years old — no identified published response
About PFD responses
Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.
Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Coroner's Concerns
In the circumstances IliS my statutory duty to report to you, was a finding of the jury that there were no signs or auditory warnings within the lift t0 indicate that the rear doors would open Evidence taken from the Sainsbury" store from the Borough Council investigation confirmed that such warnings are not standard or mandatory. In this instance, it was clear from the Evidence that the deceased did not appreciate Ihat the of the Iift that she was leaning was actually the rear doors they were not marked in any way Further consideration should be given t0 the possibility of making the doors more apparent and distinguishable from the rest of the interior, and also t0 the sounding of a warning message (that may assist visually impaired passengers)
Responses
Response received
View full response
Dear Re; Belinda Jane WiseCoroner's Court Hearing 10".11 February 2016 Sainsbury Plc_Glen Road_Qadby_Leicester write in connection with the above case and the subsequent coroner's report of 15" February 2016 which details the court's matters of concern as below "It was the finding of the jury that there were no signs or auditory warnings within the lift to indicate that the rear doors would open: Evidence taken from the Sainsbury'$ store and from the Borough Council investigation confirmed that such warnings are not standard or mandatory. In this instance, it was clear from the Evidence that the deceased did not appreciate that the part of the lift she was leaning on was actually the rear doors, as ~they were not marked in any way: Further consideration should be given to the possibility of making the doors more apparent and distinguishable from the rest of the interior, and also to the sounding of a warning message (that may assist visually impaired passengers). Although there are no legal requirements t0 install signage warning messages in the lift, the coroner's opinion is that future deaths could occur if this is not done. With this in mind, this council strongly recommends that Sainsbury carry out the work suggested by the coroner A visit will take place to the store within the next month to check (hat Ihe required work has been done. Council Offices: Station Road, Wigston; Leicestershire LEI8 2DR Tel: (0116) 288 8961 Fax; (0116) 288 7828 Pnntcd on Iceyced Peprt IMESTOR ENPEOMTE Sir,
Thank you for your co-operation in this matter. If you would like to discuss this letter further; please do not hesitate t0 contact me Yours Faithfully Cheryll Stew Environmental Health Officer C.c Mrs L C Brown; Assistant Coroner, The Town Hall; Town Hall Square Leicester, LEI 9BG
Simon Eyley From: Neil Lennox < NeilLennox@sainsburysco,uk> Sent: 12 April 2016 15*47 To: leicester-coroner Subject: Belinda Wise Regulation 28 report Dear Mrs Brown; am writing on behalfof our Chief Executive Mr Mike Coupe in relation to the letter Regulation 28 report that we have received from yourselves in relation t0 the above inquest The lift that we have installed at our Glen Road store is of a standard construction and installation and is similar to those Installed In a small number of stores in our estate. Given that fact we have taken the view that were we t0 take action at this store we should also take similar action at other stores and, in addition similar action would need to be taken on other similar lifts installed in other premises: To that end have been discussing this incident with Richard Judge at the HSE who also received a COpy of your report as they are the body that would set the standards relating to the lift design, installation signage Richard has promised t0 send me copy of his response In due course and, once we have received this we will take any appropriate action in the Glen Road store as well as those other stores in our estate. would be grateful if you would bear with uS until we have had a chance to review the response prepared by the HSE
Thank you for your co-operation in this matter. If you would like to discuss this letter further; please do not hesitate t0 contact me Yours Faithfully Cheryll Stew Environmental Health Officer C.c Mrs L C Brown; Assistant Coroner, The Town Hall; Town Hall Square Leicester, LEI 9BG
Simon Eyley From: Neil Lennox < NeilLennox@sainsburysco,uk> Sent: 12 April 2016 15*47 To: leicester-coroner Subject: Belinda Wise Regulation 28 report Dear Mrs Brown; am writing on behalfof our Chief Executive Mr Mike Coupe in relation to the letter Regulation 28 report that we have received from yourselves in relation t0 the above inquest The lift that we have installed at our Glen Road store is of a standard construction and installation and is similar to those Installed In a small number of stores in our estate. Given that fact we have taken the view that were we t0 take action at this store we should also take similar action at other stores and, in addition similar action would need to be taken on other similar lifts installed in other premises: To that end have been discussing this incident with Richard Judge at the HSE who also received a COpy of your report as they are the body that would set the standards relating to the lift design, installation signage Richard has promised t0 send me copy of his response In due course and, once we have received this we will take any appropriate action in the Glen Road store as well as those other stores in our estate. would be grateful if you would bear with uS until we have had a chance to review the response prepared by the HSE
Response received
View full response
Dear Mrs Brown BELINDA JANE WISE Thank you for your letter of the 15 February regarding Mrs Wise's tragic death on 6 March 2015. Your letter recommended that consideration be given to making lift doors more apparent and distinguishable from the rest of the interior of the Iift, and also to the sounding of a warning message (that may assist visually impaired passengers). can confirm that the information provided to during the inquest is correct; currently such warnings or signs are not mandatory: The design and installation of lifts in the UK are governed by the Lifts Regulations 1997 which are based on the European Lifts Directive (95/15/EC) . The Regulations impose duties on manufacturers and installers of lifts t0 design and install their lifts to meet essential health and safety requirements detailed in the Regulations. The Regulations do not address the two issues you raise: In order for the UK to legislate in this matter HSE would need to either propose new legislation; which the Secretary of State would have to approve, request the revised Lifts Directive include such provisions: new UK legislation would need to be evidentially based to satisfy the Secretary of State and UK stakeholders. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is not aware of any previous incidents of this nature; We have also discussed the matter with the UK lift industry and key users and they are also unaware 0f any similar incidents. The HSE is therefore not proposing to introduce new UK legislation in this matter at this stage. We propose two actions to raise awareness of the incident with relevant standard setting bodies, so that they can form a view on whether further action might be needed: First; the HSE represents the UK at a European forum for lifts. This forum discusses issues across the lift industry and raises concerns that feed into future Directive revisions when they arise, for consideration. We will raise this incident as an issue for concern at the next planned :5 you Any
meeting in 2016, asking if other Member States have any experience of such incidents. This will also be very timely as the process to revise the Lift Directive is due to start next year: Second, we will also ensure that this incident is raised with the relevant BSi committee at their next meeting: This committee also feeds relevant incidents into CEN; the European standards authority for the European Commission, for the consideration in future revision of the Lifts Directive. As you no doubt appreciate, even if changes were t0 be agreed by these organisations, these would take time t0 happen: Additionally, if these matters were included in the revision they would only apply to new lifts placed on the market, not previously installed lifts unless were substantially refurbished.
meeting in 2016, asking if other Member States have any experience of such incidents. This will also be very timely as the process to revise the Lift Directive is due to start next year: Second, we will also ensure that this incident is raised with the relevant BSi committee at their next meeting: This committee also feeds relevant incidents into CEN; the European standards authority for the European Commission, for the consideration in future revision of the Lifts Directive. As you no doubt appreciate, even if changes were t0 be agreed by these organisations, these would take time t0 happen: Additionally, if these matters were included in the revision they would only apply to new lifts placed on the market, not previously installed lifts unless were substantially refurbished.
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths believe you have the power t0 lake such action;
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 27l March 2015 commenced an investigation into the death of Belinda Jane Wise: At inquest the determinations were that; On the 6th March 2015 at Sainsbury's, Glen Road, Oadby, Belinda entered the lift Belinda leant against the rear doors and subsequently fell backwards when the doors opened hilling her head There were no signlauditory warnings within the lift t0 indicate the rear doors would open . Belinda died on the 1Ith March 2015 at University Hospital, Clifford Bridge Road Coventry and Warwickshire of a left-sided subdural haemorrhage. Conclusion Accidental death Cause of death Left sided subdural haemorrhage Ib Fall
Circumstances of the Death
Mrs Wise was laking warfarin for a diagnosed cardiac condition: She arranged t0 meet a friend for Iunch at a Sainsbury's cafe entered the Iift t0 take her to the mezzanine level within the store She recollected leaning on the lift side, and being surprised when rear doors opened, opposite to where she had entered the lift There was no sign or auditory warning t0 alert the passengers of this She stumbled and fell to the floor, banging her head Initially she was attended bY_ the store First Aid responder_but appeared to be_uninjured and
However a short time later she became unwell and an ambulance was summonsed: She was taken t0 the local neurosurgical centre for suspected brain injury, and on arrival was deeply unconscious and CT scanning revealed a large subdural haemorrhage mid Iine shift Her condition was thought to be unsurvivable; she was palliated and died 5 days later,
However a short time later she became unwell and an ambulance was summonsed: She was taken t0 the local neurosurgical centre for suspected brain injury, and on arrival was deeply unconscious and CT scanning revealed a large subdural haemorrhage mid Iine shift Her condition was thought to be unsurvivable; she was palliated and died 5 days later,
Similar PFD Reports
Reports sharing organisations, categories, or themes with this PFD
Related Inquiry Recommendations
Public inquiry recommendations addressing similar themes
Review CCTV monitoring SIA licence requirements
Manchester Arena Inquiry
Unregulated recreation safety
Establish standard for event healthcare services
Manchester Arena Inquiry
Unregulated recreation safety
Mandatory Ambulance Liaison Officer at events
Manchester Arena Inquiry
Unregulated recreation safety
Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.